Case for portable electronic computing device and for electrical power coupler

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are involved with but are not limited to an apparatus including a tablet case assembly including an electrical-power-coupler docking bay, the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped to detachably engage with an electrical power coupler, the electrical power coupler capable of coupling with an electrical-power-capable receptacle of an electronic tablet computing device, wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped to be engaged with the electrical power coupler. In addition, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

In one or more aspects, an apparatus includes, but is not limited to atablet case assembly for containing an electrical-power-capablereceptacle equipped electronic tablet computing device, including afirst bounded case portion exterior surface; and a peripheral portion,the first bounded case portion exterior surface being at least partiallysurrounded by the peripheral portion, the peripheral portion includingan electrical-power-coupler docking bay, the electrical-power-couplerdocking bay being sized and shaped to detachably engage with anelectrical power coupler, the electrical power coupler capable ofcoupling with the electrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronictablet computing device, wherein the electrical-power-coupler dockingbay being sized and shaped to be engaged with the electrical powercoupler coupled with the electrical-power-capable receptacle of theelectronic tablet computing device and wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped to beengaged with the electrical power coupler uncoupled from theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice.

In one or more aspects, an apparatus includes, but is not limited to atablet case assembly including an electrical-power-coupler docking bay,the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped todetachably engage with an electrical power coupler, the electrical powercoupler capable of coupling with an electrical-power-capable receptacleof an electronic tablet computing device, wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped to beengaged with the electrical power coupler.

In one or more aspects, an apparatus includes, but is not limited to atablet case assembly for containing an electrical-power-capablereceptacle equipped electronic tablet computing device, the tablet caseassembly including an electrical-power-coupler docking bay, theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped todetachably engage with an electrical power coupler, the electrical powercoupler capable of coupling with the electrical-power-capable receptacleof the electronic tablet computing device, wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped to beengaged with the electrical power coupler coupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice, wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized andshaped to be engaged with the electrical power coupler uncoupled fromthe electrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tabletcomputing device, wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay beingsized and shaped to allow the electrical power coupler to move betweenfirst and second positions with the electrical power coupler beingcoupled with the electrical-power-coupler docking bay, in the firstposition, the electrical power coupler being coupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice, in the second position, the electrical power coupler beinguncoupled with the electrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronictablet computing device.

In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the disclosure set forth herein.Various other aspects are set forth and described in the teachings suchas text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings ofthe present disclosure. The foregoing is a summary and thus may containsimplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions ofdetail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thesummary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses and/or other subject matter described herein will becomeapparent in the teachings set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of implementations, reference now ismade to the following descriptions taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings. The use of the same symbols in different drawingstypically indicates similar or identical items, unless context dictatesotherwise.

With reference now to the figures, shown are one or more examples ofcase for portable electronic computing case based articles ofmanufacture, compositions of matter, systems for producing and/ormethods for producing same that may provide context, for instance, inintroducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of tablet case assembly containingelectrical-power-capable receptacle equipped electronic tablet computingdevice.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay cover removed tablet caseassembly thereby showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan rear view of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay cover removed tablet caseassembly thereby showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay.

FIG. 5 is a side-elevational view of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay cover removed tablet caseassembly thereby showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of tablet caseassembly of FIG. 1 showing further detail of electrical-power-couplerdocking bay.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of tablet caseassembly of FIG. 1 showing further detail of electrical-power-couplerdocking bay.

FIG. 8 is a side-elevational cross-sectional view taken along the 8-8cut-line of FIG. 6 of electrical-power-coupler docking bay.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan rear view of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay and also showing electronictablet computing device 10 being contained by tablet case assembly.

FIG. 10 is a side-elevational view of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay and also showing electronictablet computing device 10 being contained by tablet case assembly.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1showing electrical-power-coupler docking bay and also showing electronictablet computing device being contained by tablet case assembly.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of tablet caseassembly of FIG. 1 showing further detail of electrical-power-couplerdocking bay and showing electronic tablet computing device beingcontained by tablet case assembly.

FIG. 13 is a side-elevational cross-sectional view taken along the 13-13cut-line of FIG. 12 of electrical-power-coupler docking bay.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of electrical power coupler.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of electrical power coupler.

FIG. 16 is side-elevational view of electrical power coupler.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of electrical power coupler of FIG.14 and an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of tablet caseassembly of FIG. 1 showing further detail of electrical-power-couplerdocking bay and showing electronic tablet computing device beingcontained by tablet case assembly.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of electrical power coupler of FIG.14 shown coupled with an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion oftablet case assembly of FIG. 1 showing further detail ofelectrical-power-coupler docking bay and showing electronic tabletcomputing device being contained by tablet case assembly and withelectronic tablet computing device being not coupled with electricalpower coupler.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of electrical power coupler of FIG.14 shown coupled with an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion oftablet case assembly.

FIG. 20 is a side-elevational cross-sectional view of electrical powercoupler of FIG. 14 shown coupled with a side-elevational cross-sectionalview of a portion of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1 showing furtherdetail of electrical-power-coupler docking bay and showing electronictablet computing device being contained by tablet case assembly 100 andwith electronic tablet computing device being not coupled withelectrical power coupler taken along the 20-20 cut line of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a side-elevational cross-sectional view of electrical powercoupler of FIG. 14 shown coupled with a side-elevational cross-sectionalview of a portion of tablet case assembly of FIG. 1 showing furtherdetail of electrical-power-coupler docking bay and showing electronictablet computing device being contained by tablet case assembly andelectronic tablet computing device coupled with electrical power couplertaken along the 21-21 cut line of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of electrical-power-coupler dockingbay cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative implementations described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other implementations may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

Portable electronic devices, such as laptop-shaped electronic computingdevices having stands integrated therein, along with their conventionalcases, can pose challenges in ease of use for containment by such cases.

Turning to FIG. 1, depicted therein is a top plan view of tablet caseassembly 100 containing electronic tablet computing device 10 with itstablet display 12 being shown. The tablet case assembly 100 includesperipheral portion 101 with peripheral portion first surface (e.g.,peripheral portion front display-side surface) 101 a, peripheral portionfirst edge (e.g., peripheral portion front display-side edge) 101 b, andperipheral portion coupler pry notch first edge (e.g., peripheralportion coupler pry notch front display-side edge) 101 c.

Turning to FIG. 2, depicted therein is a rear perspective view of tabletcase assembly 100 showing it having peripheral portion second surface(e.g., peripheral portion rear surface) 101 d with engagement aperture101 e and first bounded case portion exterior surface (e.g., rearbounded case surface) 102 with bounded case portion finger recessexterior surface 102 a with first bounded case portion exterior surface102 being at least partially surrounded by the peripheral portion 101.Also shown is electrical-power-coupler docking bay cover 106 withpassthrough 106 a coupled to tablet case assembly 100;electrical-power-coupler docking bay cover 106 is configured toremovably couple with the peripheral portion 101 to cover theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 when so coupled.

Turning to FIG. 3, depicted therein is a rear perspective view of tabletcase assembly 100 of FIG. 1 showing electrical-power-coupler docking baycover 106 removed from tablet case assembly 100 thereby showingelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108, which is also shown in FIGS. 4and 5.

Turning to FIG. 6, depicted therein is an enlarged rear perspective viewof a portion of tablet case assembly 100 of FIG. 1 showing furtherdetail of first bounded case portion exterior surface 102 andelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108; first bounded case portionexterior surface 102 is shown further including bounded case portionfinger recess exterior face 102 b. The electrical-power-coupler dockingbay 108 is shown further including first docking bay side (e.g., leftdocking bay side) 109 a having first docking bay suspended ledge (e.g.,left docking bay suspended ledge) 109 a 1 and having first docking bayside longitudinally elongated groove (e.g., left docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove) 108 a 1, first docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove notch (e.g., left docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove notch) 108 b 1, first docking bay sideface first portion (e.g., left docking bay side face rear upper portion)108 c 1, first docking bay side face recessed portion (e.g., leftdocking bay face recessed portion) 108 h 1, first docking bay side facesecond portion (e.g. left docking bay side face front lower portion) 108i 1, first docking bay center flange ledge surface (e.g., front lowerdocking bay center flange ledge surface) 108 j, peripheral portioncoupler pry notch 108 k, tablet receiving curvilinear flange surfacefirst edge (e.g., tablet receiving curvilinear flange surface frontedge) 1081, first docking bay center ledge surface (e.g., docking bayfront lower center ledge surface) 108 m, tablet receiving curvilinearflange surface 108 n, tablet receiving curvilinear flange surface secondedge (e.g., tablet receiving curvilinear flange surface rear edge) 108o, docking bay tablet access opening 108 p, first docking bay centerface (e.g., first docking bay midway center face) 108 q, first dockingbay center face first edge (e.g., docking bay rear center face loweredge) 108 r, second docking bay center ledge surface (e.g. docking bayrear upper center ledge surface) 108 s, second docking bay center face(e.g. second docking bay upper center face) 108 t, first docking bayside 109 a, and first docking bay suspended ledge 109 a 1; and withfirst docking bay suspended ledge 109 a 1 having first docking bay sidesuspended ledge first surface (e.g., left docking bay side suspendedledge top surface) 108 d 1, first docking bay side suspended ledge nub(e.g., left docking bay side suspended ledge nub) 108 e 1, first dockingbay side suspended ledge first face (e.g., left docking bay sidesuspended ledge front face) 108 f 1, and first docking bay sidesuspended ledge second face (e.g., left docking bay side suspended ledgeside face) 108 g 1. The a peripheral portion coupler pry notch 108 k isshown sized and shaped to allow finger access to pry the electricalpower coupler 120 from engagement with electrical-power-capablereceptacle 14 of the electronic tablet computing device 10. Theelectrical-power-capable receptacle 14 can be selected from variousversions found with electronic tablet computing device 10 such as iPadlightning jacks or USB-C jacks or other USB jacks.

According to Wikipedia.org, Lightning is a proprietary computer bus andpower connector created and designed by Apple Inc., which is used toconnect Apple mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPods to hostcomputers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers, and otherperipherals. Lightning receptacle pin configuration includes pin 1ground, pin 2 lane 0 positive, pin 3 lane 0 negative, pin 4identification/control 0, pin 5 power (charger or battery), pin 6 lane 1negative, pin 7 lane 1 positive, and pin 8 identification control 1.

According to Wikipedia.org, USB-C formally known as USB Type-C, is a24-pin USB connector system, which is distinguished by its two-foldrotationally-symmetrical connector. The USB Type-C Specification 1.0 waspublished by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and was finalized inAugust 2014. It was developed at roughly the same time as the USB 3.1specification. In July 2016, it was adopted by the IEC as “IEC62680-1-3”. For instance, USB-C receptacle A pin layout includes pin A1ground return, pin A2 SuperSpeed differential pair #1, TX positive, pinA3 SuperSpeed differential pair #1, TX, negative, pin A4 bus power, pinA5 configuration channel, pin A6 USB 2.0 differential pair, position 1,positive, pin A7 USB 2.0 differential pair, position 1, negative, pin A8sideband use, pin A9 bus power, pin A10 SuperSpeed differential pair #4,RX, negative, pin A11 SuperSpeed differential pair #4, RX, positive, andpin A12 ground return. Other USB-C receptacle B pin layout is anotherlayout.

As shown, first docking bay center ledge surface 108 m and seconddocking bay center ledge surface 108 s, are progressively farther indistance, respectively, from the peripheral portion first edge 101 balong a dimension substantially normal to the peripheral portion firstedge 101 b and substantially parallel with the first bounded caseportion exterior surface 102. In other words, first docking bay centerledge surface 108 m and second docking bay center ledge surface 108 sare shown progressively farther in distance, respectively, from theperipheral portion first edge 101 b along a dimension substantiallynormal to the peripheral portion first edge 101 b and substantiallynormal to the first bounded case portion exterior surface 102 so thatfirst docking bay center ledge surface 108 m and second docking baycenter ledge surface 108 s are progressively farther along substantiallya stairs formation, respectively, from the peripheral portion first edge101 b.

Further shown in FIG. 7, electrical-power-coupler docking bay 108includes second docking bay side (e.g. left docking bay side) 109 bhaving second docking bay suspended ledge (e.g., right docking baysuspended ledge) 109 b 1 and having second docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove (e.g. right docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove) 108 a 2, second docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove notch (e.g., right docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove notch) 108 b 2, second docking bay sideface first portion (e.g., right docking bay side face rear upper portion108 c 2, second docking bay side face recessed portion (e.g., rightdocking bay side face recessed portion) 108 h 2, and second docking bayside face second portion (e.g., right docking bay side face lowerportion) 108 i 2; and with second docking bay suspended ledge 109 b 1having second docking bay side suspended ledge first surface (e.g.,right docking bay side suspended ledge top surface) 108 d 2, seconddocking bay side suspended ledge nub (e.g., right docking bay sidesuspended ledge nub) 108 e 2, second docking bay side suspended ledgefirst face (e.g., right docking bay side suspended ledge front face) 108f 2, and second docking bay side suspended ledge second face (e.g.,right docking bay side suspended ledge side face) 108 g 2. Shown in FIG.8, first bounded case portion exterior surface 102 includes firstbounded case portion (e.g., rear bounded case portion) 102 c and firstbounded case portion interior surface (e.g., rear bounded case portioninterior surface) 102 d; and first docking bay suspended ledge 109 a 1also has first docking bay side suspended ledge second surface (e.g.,left docking bay side suspended ledge bottom surface) 108 u 1 andsimilarly, although not shown, it follows that second docking baysuspended ledge 109 b 1 also has second docking bay side suspended ledgesecond surface (e.g., right docking bay side suspended ledge bottomsurface) 108 u 2. Turning to FIGS. 9-13, depicted therein is tablet caseassembly 100 containing electronic tablet computing device 10, whichincludes electrical-power-capable receptacle 14. Also shown iselectronic tablet computing device 10 including tablet back rear surface16 and display-side curvilinear tablet edge 18.

Turning to FIG. 14, depicted therein is a front perspective view ofelectrical power coupler 120, which includes coupler base portion 121 aand coupler extension portion 121 b, with coupler extension portion 121b including first coupler center face 120 a, first coupler side facefirst portion (e.g., right coupler side face rear portion) 120 c 1, andfirst coupler side face pin (e.g. right coupler side face pin) 120 f 1,and with coupler base portion 121 a including first coupler side facelongitudinally elongated groove 120 d 1, first coupler side face notch(e.g., right coupler side face notch) 120 e 1, first coupler face secondportion (e.g. right coupler side face front portion) 120 g 1, secondcoupler center surface (e.g., front coupler lower bottom surface) 120 hsecond coupler center face (e.g. front coupler center face) 120 i, firstcoupler electrode (e.g., right coupler electrode) 120 j, first couplerelectrode exterior surface (e.g., right coupler electrode exteriorsurface) 120 j 1, second coupler electrode (e.g., left couplerelectrode) 120 k, second coupler electrode exterior surface (e.g., leftcoupler electrode exterior surface) 120 k 1, coupler electrode supportsurface 120 l, and coupler electrode support 120 m. Both first couplerelectrode 120 j and second coupler electrode 120 k can be magnetizedwith the same magnetic polarities or opposite magnetic polarities toassist in coupling them to one or more electrical charging devices (notshown).

Further shown in FIG. 15, coupler extension portion 121 b includes thirdcoupler center face (e.g., rear lower coupler center face) 120 n withcoupler plug 122 extending therefrom and having coupler plugelectrically conductive contacts 122 a being in electrical connectionwith first coupler electrode 120 j and with second coupler electrode 120k; and also having second coupler plug notch (e.g., left coupler plugnotch) 122 b 2. Also shown, coupler extension portion 121 b furtherincludes second coupler side face longitudinally elongated groove (e.g.,left coupler side face longitudinally elongated groove) 120 d 2, secondcoupler face notch (e.g., left coupler side face longitudinallyelongated groove) 120 e 2, and second coupler side face second portion(e.g., left coupler side face front portion) 120 g 2. Coupler baseportion 121 a is shown to include second coupler side face first portion(e.g., left coupler side face rear portion) 120 c 2, second coupler sideface pin (e.g. left coupler side face pin) 120 f 2, and third couplercenter surface (e.g., rear coupler upper bottom surface) 120 o. Turningto FIG. 16, depicted therein coupler plug 122 also includes firstcoupler plug notch (e.g., right coupler plug notch) 122 b 1. As depictedin FIG. 17, electrical power coupler 120 is shown being positioned to becoupled with electrical-power-coupler docking bay 108. As shown in FIGS.14-17 and further Figures below, the electrical-power-coupler dockingbay 108 being sized and shaped to detachably engage with an electricalpower coupler 120, the electrical power coupler 120 capable of couplingwith the electrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of the electronic tabletcomputing device 10, wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay108 being sized and shaped to be engaged with the electrical powercoupler 120 coupled with the electrical-power-capable receptacle 14 ofthe electronic tablet computing device 10 and wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 being sized and shaped to beengaged with the electrical power coupler 120 uncoupled from theelectrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of the electronic tabletcomputing device 10.

In FIGS. 18 and 20, first coupler side face pin 120 f 1 and secondcoupler side face pin 120 f 2, are depicted as being inserted intosecond docking bay side longitudinally elongated groove notch 108 b 2and first docking bay side longitudinally elongated groove notch 108 b1, respectively, with such insertion aided by the spring-loadeddepressible nature of first coupler side face pin 120 f 1 and secondcoupler side face pin 120 f 2.

In FIGS. 19 and 21, first coupler side face pin 120 f 1 and secondcoupler side face pin 120 f 2 are depicted as being slid along seconddocking bay side longitudinally elongated groove 108 a 2 and firstdocking bay side longitudinally elongated groove 108 a 1, respectively,away from first docking bay side longitudinally elongated groove notch108 b 1 and second docking bay side longitudinally elongated groovenotch 108 b 2, respectively, thereby allowing electrical power coupler120 to be further repositioned to thereby engage second coupler sideface longitudinally elongated groove 120 d 2 with first docking bay sidesuspended ledge first surface 108 d 1, first docking bay side suspendedledge first face 108 f 1, first docking bay side suspended ledge secondface 108 g 1, and first docking bay side suspended ledge second surface108 u 1, engage second coupler side face notch 120 e 2 with firstdocking bay side suspended ledge nub 108 e 1, engage first coupler sideface longitudinally elongated groove (e.g., right coupler side facelongitudinally elongated groove) 120 d 1 with second docking bay sidesuspended ledge first surface 108 d 2, second docking bay side suspendedledge first face 108 f 2, second docking bay side suspended ledge secondface 108 g 2, and second docking bay side suspended ledge second surface108 u 2, engage first coupler side face notch 120 e 1 with seconddocking bay side suspended ledge nub 108 e 2, and engage coupler plugelectrically conductive contacts 122 a with electrical-power-capablereceptacle 14 of electronic tablet computing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 21, coupler plug 122 further includes coupler electrodeconditioning circuitry 122 c, electrically conductive member 122 d,first insulator portion (e.g., upper insulator portion) 122 e 1, secondinsulator portion (e.g., lower insulator portion) 122 e 2, andelectrically conductive coupler plug tip portion 122 f. In someimplementations coupler electrode conditioning circuitry 122 c isincluded as an integrated circuit to provide pathways for communicationsignals such as USB-C or Apple Lightning versions; other implementationssolely provide electrical power conduction from a partial selection ofthe coupler plug electrically conductive contacts 122 a (so configuredsuch as to match electrical power configurations of such as USB-C orLightning versions of electrical-power-capable receptacle 14) to firstcoupler electrode 120 j and second coupler electrode 120 k,respectively, (opposite voltage polarities between first couplerelectrode 120 j and second coupler electrode 120 k).

As shown in FIGS. 6-21, electrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 issized and shaped to position first docking bay center ledge surface 108m and second docking bay center ledge surface 108 s ofelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 adjacent second coupler centersurface 120 h and third coupler center surface 120 o, respectively, ofelectrical power coupler 120 to couple electrical power coupler 120 withelectrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of electronic tablet computingdevice 10. Further shown, first docking bay side longitudinallyelongated groove 108 a 1 and first docking bay side longitudinallyelongated groove notch 108 b 1 are sized and shaped to couple withelectrical power coupler 120. Further, first docking bay side 109 aincludes first docking bay side longitudinally elongated groove notch108 b 1 and second docking bay side 109 b includes second docking bayside longitudinally elongated groove notch 108 b 2, which are sized andshaped to couple with second coupler side face pin 120 f 2 and firstcoupler side face pin 120 f 1, respectively, of the electrical powercoupler 120. The electrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 is sized andshaped to allow the electrical power coupler 120 to move between firstand second positions with the first docking bay side longitudinallyelongated groove notch 108 b 1 and the second docking bay sidelongitudinally elongated groove notch 108 b 2 being coupled with thesecond coupler side face pin 120 f 2 and the first coupler side face pin120 f 1, respectively, in the first position shown such as in FIGS. 19and 21, the electrical power coupler 120 being coupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of the electronic tabletcomputing device 10, in the second position shown such as in FIGS. 18and 20, the electrical power coupler 120 being uncoupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of the electronic tabletcomputing device 10. The first docking bay side 109 a includes firstdocking bay suspended ledge 109 a 1 and second docking bay side 109 bincludes second docking bay suspended ledge 109 b 1, which are sized andshaped to couple with second coupler side face longitudinally elongatedgroove 120 d 2, and first coupler side face longitudinally elongatedgroove 120 d 1, respectively, of the electrical power coupler 120. Thefirst docking bay side suspended ledge nub 108 e 1 and second dockingbay side suspended ledge nub 108 e 2 are sized and shaped to couple withsecond coupler side face notch 120 e 2, and first coupler side facenotch 120 e 1, respectively, of the electrical power coupler 120.

Further shown in FIGS. 6-21, coupler plug 122 is sized and shaped toremovably couple with the electrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of theelectronic tablet computing device 10, and the electrical power coupler120 is sized and shaped to removably couple with theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 of the tablet case assembly100. The first coupler side face pin 120 f 1 and second coupler sideface pin 120 f 2 are positioned on the electrical power coupler 120 toallow electrical power coupler 120 to be coupled withelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 as electrical power coupler 120is able to move between a first position with coupler plug 122 being ina coupled condition with electrical-power-capable receptacle 14 ofelectronic tablet computing device 10 and a second position with couplerplug 122 being in an uncoupled condition from electrical-power-capablereceptacle 14. In some implementations coupler plug 122 is configured tocouple with at least electrical power conducting portions of an Applelightning port version of the electrical-power-capable receptacle 14 ofthe tablet display 12. In some implementations the coupler plug 122 isconfigured to couple with at least electrical power conducting portionsof a USB-C or other USB version of the electrical-power-capablereceptacle 14 of the tablet display 12. The first coupler side facelongitudinally elongated groove 120 d 1 and second coupler side facelongitudinally elongated groove 120 d 2 are sized, shaped, andpositioned on the coupler plug 122 to couple with theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 when the coupler plug 122 iscoupled with the electrical-power-capable receptacle 14. The firstcoupler side face notch 120 e 1 and second coupler side face notch 120 e2 are sized, shaped, and positioned on the coupler plug 122 to couplewith the electrical-power-coupler docking bay 108 when the coupler plug122 is coupled with the electrical-power-capable receptacle 14. Theelectrical power coupler 120 is sized and shaped to be positionedadjacent a two-step staircase formation of the electrical-power-couplerdocking bay 108. The coupler plug 122 is being in electrical connectionwith the first coupler electrode 120 j and with the second couplerelectrode 120 k including coupler electrode conditioning circuitry 122c. The second coupler electrode exterior surface 120 k 1, first couplerelectrode exterior surface 120 j 1 and second coupler electrode exteriorsurface 120 k 1 are shown as substantially flat, but in otherimplementations the can be other shapes to accommodate connection withvarious terminals of electrical charging devices (not shown). In someimplementations first coupler electrode 120 j and second couplerelectrode 120 k can include one or more magnetic polarities but in otherimplementations they are non-magnetic. In some implementations, asshown, first coupler electrode 120 j and second coupler electrode 120 kextend from coupler base portion 121 a in a first direction, whereascoupler extension portion 121 b extends from coupler base portion 121 ain a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction;and in some implementations, as shown, coupler plug 122 extends fromcoupler base portion 121 a in substantially the same direction as thesecond direction. In some implementations, as shown, first coupler sideface pin 120 f 1 and second coupler side face pin 120 f 2 are sopositioned to engage with second coupler side face longitudinallyelongated groove 120 d 2 and first coupler side face longitudinallyelongated groove 120 d 1 of electrical-power-coupler docking bay 108when electrical power coupler 120 is coupled withelectrical-power-coupler docking bay 108. As shown, coupler extensionportion 121 b of electrical power coupler 120 includes first couplercenter face 120 a, and coupler base portion 121 a of electrical powercoupler 120 includes second coupler center face 120 i, and third couplercenter face 120 n, with first coupler electrode 120 j and second couplerelectrode 120 k extending from second coupler center face 120 i, andcoupler plug 122 extending from third coupler center face 120 n andfacing in a direction opposite that second coupler center face 120 i isfacing and with one or more portions of the third coupler center face120 n having a curvilinear profile to conform with a curvilinear profileof the electronic tablet computing device 10. As shown, second couplercenter surface 120 h, and third coupler center surface 120 o arearranged in a stair-step formation with coupler plug 122 extending outfrom third coupler center face 120 n, and coupler plug 122 extending outover, spaced apart, and substantially parallel with third coupler centersurface 120 o of first coupler center face 120 a. As shown, firstcoupler electrode exterior surface 120 j 1 and second coupler electrodeexterior surface 120 k 1 are positioned to be aligned substantiallynormal to tablet display 12 of electronic tablet computing device 10when coupler plug 122 of electrical power coupler 120 is coupled withelectrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of electronic tablet computingdevice 10. These structures thus provide for a method for electricalpower coupler 120 which can include coupling electrical power coupler120 with tablet case assembly 100; coupling coupler plug 122 ofelectrical power coupler 120 with electrical-power-capable receptacle 14of electronic tablet computing device 10 while electrical power coupler120 remains coupled with tablet case assembly 100; and uncouplingcoupler plug 122 of electrical power coupler 120 fromelectrical-power-capable receptacle 14 of electronic tablet computingdevice 10 while electrical power coupler 120 remains coupled with tabletcase assembly 100.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of electrical-power-coupler dockingbay cover.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in asequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may beperformed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may beperformed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may includeoverlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variantorderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like“responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives aregenerally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictatesotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tablet case assembly for containing anelectrical-power-capable receptacle equipped electronic tablet computingdevice, comprising: a first bounded case portion exterior surface; and aperipheral portion, the first bounded case portion exterior surfacebeing at least partially surrounded by the peripheral portion, theperipheral portion including an electrical-power-coupler docking bay,the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped todetachably engage with an electrical power coupler, the electrical powercoupler capable of coupling with the electrical-power-capable receptacleof the electronic tablet computing device, wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped to beengaged with the electrical power coupler coupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice and wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sizedand shaped to be engaged with the electrical power coupler uncoupledfrom the electrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tabletcomputing device; wherein the peripheral portion includes a peripheralportion first edge, and the electrical-power-coupler docking bayincludes a first docking bay center ledge surface and a second dockingbay center ledge surface, the first docking bay center ledge surface andthe second docking bay center ledge surface, being progressively fartherin distance, respectively, from the peripheral portion first edge alonga dimension substantially normal to the peripheral portion first edgeand substantially parallel with the first bounded case portion exteriorsurface.
 2. The tablet case assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheralportion includes a peripheral portion first edge, and theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay includes a first docking bay centerledge surface and a second docking bay center ledge surface, the firstdocking bay center ledge surface and the second docking bay center ledgesurface being progressively farther in distance, respectively, from theperipheral portion first edge along a dimension substantially normal tothe peripheral portion first edge and substantially normal to the firstbounded case portion exterior surface.
 3. The tablet case assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the peripheral portion includes the peripheral portionfirst edge, and the electrical-power-coupler docking bay includes thefirst docking bay center ledge surface and the second docking bay centerledge surface, the first docking bay center ledge surface and the seconddocking bay center ledge surface being progressively farther alongsubstantially a stairs formation, respectively, from the peripheralportion first edge.
 4. The tablet case assembly of claim 1, wherein theperipheral portion includes the peripheral portion first edge, and theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay includes the first docking baycenter ledge surface, and the second docking bay center ledge surface,the first docking bay center ledge surface and the second docking baycenter ledge surface progressively farther in distance, respectively,from the peripheral portion first edge along a first dimensionsubstantially normal to the peripheral portion first edge andsubstantially parallel with the first bounded case portion exteriorsurface, the first docking bay center ledge surface and the seconddocking bay center ledge surface progressively farther in distance,respectively, from the peripheral portion first edge along a seconddimension substantially normal to the peripheral portion first edge andsubstantially normal to the first bounded case portion exterior surface.5. The tablet case assembly of claim 1, wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay includes the first docking baycenter ledge surface, and the second docking bay center ledge surface,the electrical-power-coupler docking bay sized and shaped with respectto the electrical power coupler, the electrical power coupler includinga first coupler center surface, a second coupler center surface, and athird coupler center surface, the electrical-power-coupler docking baysized and shaped to position the first docking bay center ledge surfaceand the second docking bay center ledge surface of theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay adjacent the second coupler centersurface and the third coupler center surface, respectively, of theelectrical power coupler to couple the electrical power coupler with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice.
 6. The tablet case assembly of claim 1, wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay further comprises a first dockingbay side including a first docking bay side longitudinally elongatedgroove and a first docking bay side longitudinally elongated groovenotch, the first docking bay side longitudinally elongated groove andthe first docking bay side longitudinally elongated groove notch beingsized and shaped to couple with the electrical power coupler.
 7. Thetablet case assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical-power-couplerdocking bay further comprises a first docking bay side including a firstdocking bay side longitudinally elongated groove notch and a seconddocking bay side including a second docking bay side longitudinallyelongated groove notch sized and shaped to couple with a second couplerside face pin and a first coupler side face pin, respectively, of theelectrical power coupler.
 8. The tablet case assembly of claim 7,wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shapedto allow the electrical power coupler to move between first and secondpositions with the first docking bay side longitudinally elongatedgroove notch and the second docking bay side longitudinally elongatedgroove notch being coupled with the second coupler side face pin and thefirst coupler side face pin, respectively, in the first position, theelectrical power coupler being coupled with the electrical-power-capablereceptacle of the electronic tablet computing device, in the secondposition, the electrical power coupler being uncoupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice.
 9. The tablet case assembly of claim 1, whereinelectrical-power-coupler docking bay further comprises a first dockingbay side including a first docking bay suspended ledge and a seconddocking bay side including a second docking bay suspended ledge sizedand shaped to couple with a second coupler side face longitudinallyelongated groove, and a first coupler side face longitudinally elongatedgroove, respectively, of the electrical power coupler.
 10. The tabletcase assembly of claim 1, wherein electrical-power-coupler docking bayfurther comprises a first docking bay side including a first docking bayside suspended ledge nub and a second docking bay side suspended ledgenub sized and shaped to couple with a second coupler side face notch,and a first coupler side face notch, respectively, of the electricalpower coupler.
 11. The tablet case assembly of claim 1, wherein theperipheral portion further comprises a peripheral portion first edgeincluding a peripheral portion coupler pry notch sized and shaped toallow finger access to pry the electrical power coupler from engagementwith the electrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tabletcomputing device.
 12. A tablet case assembly for containing anelectrical-power-capable receptacle equipped electronic tablet computingdevice, comprising: an electrical-power-coupler docking bay, theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped todetachably engage with an electrical power coupler, the electrical powercoupler capable of coupling with the electrical-power-capable receptacleof the electronic tablet computing device, wherein theelectrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized and shaped to beengaged with the electrical power coupler coupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice, wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay being sized andshaped to be engaged with the electrical power coupler uncoupled fromthe electrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tabletcomputing device, wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay beingsized and shaped to allow the electrical power coupler to move betweenfirst and second positions with the electrical power coupler beingcoupled with the electrical-power-coupler docking bay, in the firstposition, the electrical power coupler being coupled with theelectrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronic tablet computingdevice, in the second position, the electrical power coupler beinguncoupled with the electrical-power-capable receptacle of the electronictablet computing device; a peripheral portion including a peripheralportion first edge, and wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bayincludes a first docking bay center ledge surface, and a second dockingbay center ledge surface, the first docking bay center ledge surface andthe second docking bay center ledge surface positioned progressivelyfarther in distance, respectively, from the peripheral portion firstedge along a first dimension substantially normal to the peripheralportion first edge and substantially parallel with the first boundedcase portion exterior surface.
 13. The tablet case assembly of claim 12,wherein the electrical-power-coupler docking bay further comprises afirst docking bay side including a first docking bay side longitudinallyelongated groove notch and a second docking bay side including a seconddocking bay side longitudinally elongated groove notch sized and shapedto couple with a second coupler side face pin and a first coupler sideface pin, respectively, of the electrical power coupler.
 14. The tabletcase assembly of claim 12, wherein the first docking bay center ledgesurface and the second docking bay center ledge surface positionedprogressively farther in distance, respectively, from the peripheralportion first edge along a second dimension substantially normal to theperipheral portion first edge and substantially normal to the firstbounded case portion exterior surface.